A&M International Boasts New Latin
American Studies Program

A new program that helps students to develop academic
strengths in Latin American Studies and specialize in additional
areas is gaining wide student interest at Texas A&M
International University.

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Latin American Studies at
A&M International was recently approved by the Texas Higher
Education Coordinating Board and will be offered starting this
Fall.

Dr. Kathleen Pletsch de García, one of the developers of the
Latin American Studies Program, said the program was created
because a University survey of students showed a positive
response for the establishment of such

a program.

"We also think that there is an interest in the community
in general. Local businesses, as well as the City of Laredo, have
reported the need for people who are educated on Latin America's
issues, culture and way of life," Dr. Pletsch de García
said.

Tailored to meet students' needs in preparing for a global
market, the program, besides core and foundation courses,
includes a language certification requirement in Spanish as well
as primary and secondary areas of specialization.

Pletsch de García said that the primary and secondary areas
were designed so that students could gain exposure to a variety
of issues dealing with Latin America across a number of
disciplines.

"This program is unique in that it affords students an
opportunity to choose upper division courses from the College of
Arts and Humanities as well as those in the College of Science
and Technology and College of Business Administration," she
said. "This, we believe, creates a well rounded person in
Latin American Studies in all areas."

Primary areas of concentration can be chosen from
history/geography, political science, sociology/anthropology and
Spanish.

Secondary areas can be chosen from business administration,
management, marketing, communication, history and environmental
science, Pletsch de García said.

Unlike other Latin American Studies programs in the nation,
A&M International's program also offers a secondary area of
concentration in Border Studies for students concentrating in
Spanish, Pletsch de García said.

Also, with new University courses offered in Portuguese and
French, students can contemplate graduating from the program with
knowledge of three languages spoken throughout Latin America, she
said.

"Our objective is to create students that are
knowledgeable about Latin America. This area is extremely
important to the United States economically, politically and in
terms of natural resources. For this reason, it is crucial for us
to prepare professionals who can work in the realm of Latin
America," she said, adding that the North American Free
Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has also created new activities along the
U.S.-Mexico border that require expertise in Latin America.

Pursuing this program in Laredo also provides a distinct
advantage because students can study while they become exposed to
Spanish speaking opportunities locally, Pletsch de García said.

"This program came to us naturally, it's a given for
Laredo," Pletsch de García said, "Since we already
have the Spanish, we are ahead of the game compared to other
people. Most universities have to create an artificial learning
environment to learn Spanish and it takes two to three years to
reach the level of proficiency that our students already have. We
are taking perfect advantage of what we have."

A Latin American Studies program in Laredo is also likely to
attract students from other cities who may not otherwise have the
opportunity to practice Spanish, Pletsch de García said.

A graduate of this program can expect to find jobs in numerous
areas including education, tourism, federal agencies, U.S.-Mexico
border agencies, and public and private enterprises, Pletsch de
García said.

"Since you can tailor your studies to your own interests,
the opportunities are legion," she said. "Also, there
are some people that choose to work abroad and, in turn, may use
their expertise on the United States in Latin American
countries," she said.

For further information, please contact Dr. Nasser Momayezi,
chair of the Department of Social Sciences, at 326-2616 or visit
the office located in Killam Library 432A. He can also be reached
by e-mail at nmomayezi@tamiu.edu. University office hours are 8
a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Journalists who need additional information or help with
media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public
Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu